Germany's top soccer league won't punish a player who failed to follow COVID-19 advice when he kissed his teammate after a goal
- The German Bundesliga won't punish Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram for breaking its coronavirus rules on social distancing during a goal celebration on Saturday.
- Players in the German top flight have been advised to avoid unnecessary contact such as hugs, high-fives, and other celebratory exchanges.
- However, Thuram kissed Ramy Bensebaini after scoring his side's second goal in a 3-1 victory over Frankfurt.
- "On the subject of goal celebrations, it was something that was merely advised, sanctions are therefore not necessary," a spokeperson for the league said, according to Goal.
- A number of players, including Radamel Falcao and Cesc Fabregas have challenged the Bundesliga's advice on goal celebrations.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
The Bundesliga says it won't punish a player who broke coronavirus rules on social distancing by kissing a teammate during a goal celebration on Saturday.
Germany's top soccer league resumed at the weekend after a two-month hiatus, however players have been advised to avoid unnecessary contact such as hugs, high-fives, and other celebratory exchanges at all costs.
After scoring the second goal in Borussia Monchengladbach's 3-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, French striker Marcus Thuram broke those guidelines by kissing Ramy Bensebaini, who had provided him with the assist.
Thuram, who is the son of the 1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thurman, will not be punished as the Bundesliga confirmed it's advice on social distancing is a guideline rather than a strict set of rules.
"On the subject of goal celebrations, it was something that was merely advised in the guidelines, sanctions are therefore not necessary," a spokeperson for the league said, according to Goal.
Thuram has yet to publicly comment on the incident, however posted a photo to Instagram of him and Bensebaini celebrating his goal, saying: "Guess who's back?"
Gladbach's win, in which Alassane Plea and Bensebaini hit the other two goals, moved it to third place in the Bundesliga and just six points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
A number of players have been questioning the Bundesliga's advice on goal celebrations, claiming that it makes no sense given that players are in almost constant contact throughout games.
Radamel Falcao, the Galatasaray striker who formerly played for Atletico Madrid and Manchester United, said on Twitter: "Watching the return of football I wonder, is there any technical reason to ban hugs after goals?
"We are in constant contact throughout the entire game. At a free-kick the defenders are all over you! In a wall they are all together."
Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas echoed Falcao's comments, saying: "You can't celebrate goals together? Didn't know this one."
The Spaniard added: "I feel like I'm watching a training session. You can hear all players and coaches shouting. Now we will value the power of the fans even more.
"Captains choosing pitch sides with three meters distance when straight away they have to fight for every ball against each other face to face."
Read more: